Scalloped leading edge advancements

• US 20060060721A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frank Elliot Fish, Phillip Watts
• Original Assignee: Frank Elliot Fish, Phillip Watts
• Inventors: Watts, Phillip, Fish, Frank Elliot
• Application Number:
  US11/093,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20060060721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/200
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2003/146 comprising leading edges of particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 23/00 Influencing air flow over aircraft surfaces, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/10 Shape of wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/28 Leading or trailing edges attached to primary structures, e.g. forming fixed slots
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/40 Varying angle of sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/48 by relatively-movable parts of wing structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 5/02 Tailplanes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

An apparatus to modify a wing to provide increased lift over drag ratios and reduced noise compared to similar wings with straight leading edges. For wings extending in a lateral direction, and defining a longitudinal upstream direction, the apparatus forms a laterally extending leading edge facing in the upstream direction. The apparatus forms a plurality of protrusions spaced laterally along the leading edge, the protrusions creating a smoothly varying, alternately forward-and-aft sweep along the leading edge relative to the upstream flow direction along the leading edge. The protrusions may contain instruments, and may be deployable and retractable.

Claims

1. An apparatus defining a longitudinal upstream direction, comprising:

a laterally extending streamlined body having a laterally extending leading edge facing in the upstream direction, wherein the laterally extending body defines a plurality of protrusions spaced laterally along the leading edge, the protrusions creating a smoothly varying alternately forward and aft sweep to the leading edge relative to the upstream flow direction along the leading edge; and

an instrument located at least in part within the protrusion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are separable from the remainder of the laterally extending body.

3. An apparatus defining a longitudinal upstream direction, comprising:

a laterally extending streamlined body having a laterally extending leading edge facing in the upstream direction, wherein the laterally extending body defines a plurality of protrusions spaced laterally along the leading edge, the protrusions creating a smoothly varying alternately forward and aft sweep to the leading edge relative to the upstream flow direction along the leading edge;

wherein the protrusions are configured to be at least one of deployable and retractable.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, and further comprising an instrument located at least in part within the protrusion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wing includes a mechanism to control the deployment of the protrusions, the deployment mechanism being configured to control at least one of the timing, the position and the orientation of instrument.

6. A method of reducing the generation of noise by a wing, wherein the wing is laterally extending and defines a leading edge facing in a longitudinal upstream direction of a flowing fluid, comprising:

providing the leading edge of the wing with a plurality of protrusions spaced laterally along the wing'"'"'s leading edge, the protrusions creating a smoothly varying alternately forward and aft sweep to the leading edge relative to the upstream flow direction along the leading edge;

wherein the step of providing comprises deploying protrusions that are configured to be deployed while in a flowing fluid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the wing includes an instrument located at least in part within the protrusion, the instrument being subject to generated noise such that the deployment of the protrusions provides a preferred operating environment for the instrument.